Victorian Valentine
Reissue coming February 2026
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When Lord Christopher Norcutt finds a valentine in his bedroom, he believes it must have been left there by mistake; fourth sons of earls who prefer the company of other men are not the sort to attract admirers. But the secret valentine only marks the beginning of an unusual day for Christopher. As Christopher sets off to fulfill an obligation to his brother, a second valentine comes into his possession — this one discovered in a place that has meaning only to Christopher and his lover, Jack Ashton. Does a Valentine’s Day surprise await Christopher at the end of his journey?
Excerpt
February 14, 1860
As the youngest of four brothers and the elder by two years of a puckish younger sister, Lord Christopher Norcutt had long thought himself immune to surprise, particularly when it came to finding odd items in his bed. Many a toad and spider had found home under his bedsheets, only to be disturbed by his own unsuspecting feet. But never before had a valentine been placed on his pillow.
The item in question was thankfully not the garish sort of valentine that had flooded Whitford Court each February since his sister’s coming out. No fat cupids were shooting arrows at silk roses and no doves flew above a veritable sea of flowers, church spires, and hearts. Rather, this valentine was a simple affair — bluebells on silk paper with the phrase “Constant and True” printed upon it. It was pretty, delicate, and out of place in his bedchamber. He could find no envelope to indicate either the sender or intended recipient of the valentine. As far as he knew, one of the maids had left this in his room by accident.
He lightly traced the bluebells with his finger, feeling a frown creasing his brow. He had never received a valentine before. Fourth sons of earls who preferred to spend their time in the country breeding horseflesh rather than gallivanting about Town did not, as a rule, acquire numerous female admirers. And since the one person to whom Christopher was “constant and true” was most decidedly not female, this suited him just fine. But Jack was in London on a matter of business — as he had been so frequently the past eight months — so even if he were prone to romantic gestures, the lovely bit of paper could not be from him.
Copyright protected work.
Riley Shane, Author.
Reviews
“Victorian Valentine is a short, incredibly sweet, beautiful romance. I was really happy for the happiness that Christopher and Jack were able to find. The story is told from Christopher’s point of view, and I really just enjoyed every moment spent with him…I can’t wait to read what Riley Shane delivers next.” – Angela @ Touch the Night